LED driver or
lamp power supply, or
chandelier controller?

LED Driver is a power source (current stabilizer) for LEDs. It converts voltage and provides stabilized power for one or a group of LEDs. The output current of the driver is constant and is indicated on the case, usually in milliamps (mA). The voltage at the output of the LED driver changes depending on the LEDs connected to it, but only within the limits indicated on the shell after the word OUTPUT. Power is supplied to the driver through two contacts, usually "AC INPUT": line (L) and neutral (N). If the LED driver has only 2 contacts at the output (plus and minus), then such a driver is usually designed to power single-color LEDs in monochrome lamps, downlights, floodlights. Such drivers often don't have a remote control and only allow to turn the LEDs on and off.

Drivers with two or more outputs are usually used with LEDs of different colors. Such a multi-channel LED driver allows you to turn on one of the channels, or all channels together. The number of output channels for such drivers is indicated in the characteristics immediately after the power: x2 - 2 channels, x4 - 4 channels, x6 - 6 channels, etc. Most often, such drivers are used in lamps and chandeliers with a choice of light shade (warm / cold / neutral). Such drivers can be controlled using a regular wall switch. If you turn off the power of such a driver and then immediately turn it on, the shade of light of this lamp will change. With each such action, the driver will alternately turn on first one channel, then the second, and then both channels together (and so on in a circle). If you turn off the power and turn it on after a few seconds, the lamp will turn on in the same mode in which it was turned off before. Often on the shell of such drivers is indicated "3color" or "3-sectionswitch". Some drivers of this type can be controlled remotely.

A remote-controlled LED driver not only turns the light on and off, but also smoothly adjusts its brightness and shade. Remote-controlled LED drivers are divided into 2 main groups by control type: IR control and RF control. The IR LED driver is controlled by remote controls using an infrared light beam. The main condition for this type of control is direct visibility between the remote control and the driver's IR sensor. The remote control should be directed towards the lamp with such a driver. The maximum working distance for this type of control is 7-10 meters. IR drivers can be divided into 2 types: with an IR sensor installed directly on the driver board, and with a remote sensor on the wire. The first type usually has a transparent case and is installed in lamps under the lampshade through which light passes. The second type can also be installed in the part of the lamp that does not transmit light (usually this is the metal body of the chandelier). In this case, a hole is made in the lamp housing through which the driver's IR sensor is brought out. Most manufacturers of such drivers use the same commands for control, so their remote controls are often interchangeable and do not require preliminary pairing with a new driver.

RF LED Driver is controlled using a radio signal of a certain frequency. This type of control does not require direct visibility of the driver. The signal passes well through plastic, wood and plasterboard. Radio waves spread in all directions, within a radius of up to 20-30 meters, which allows you to control all drivers in this area at the same time. Depending on the data transmission standard, radio-controlled drivers are divided into types: Bluetooth, WIFI, Bluetooth + WIFI, Zigbee. Each manufacturer of RF drivers, as a rule, uses its own set of commands for control, which often does not coincide with the commands of other manufacturers. In order for a new RF driver to start executing commands from the remote control, they must first be paired with each other. Thus, one remote control can control one group of lamps, and another remote control - another group. On the shell of radio-controlled drivers, it is often indicated "Intelligent LED Driver" or "Intelligent Controller". The radio frequency at which the driver operates is also indicated - 2.4G (most often). Some of these drivers can also be controlled using a mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.

Two-color LEDs have 2 types of connection: two-way (2-pin connectors) and one-way (3-pin connectors). With a two-way connection, 2 driver wires are connected to one end of the LED circuit, and 2 negative wires to the other end. With a one-way connection, 1 positive wire and 2 negative wires are connected to the LEDs. Both types of drivers are absolutely identical inside. Drivers with a one-way connection have one wire coming out of the positive contact. Drivers with a two-way connection have two wires coming out of the same contact. The option for connecting LED strip in lamps is described in the section "LED strip for chandeliers".

Bicolor LED drivers with 3-pin output connectors may have different wire sequences in the connector, depending on the manufacturer. Some models have the positive wire in the middle, while others may have it on the edge. Usually this sequence is indicated on the driver shell. If you connect the driver to the LEDs with the wrong sequence, nothing bad will happen. The LEDs will simply not light up. Rearrange the contacts in the driver connector and reconnect it.

Different manufacturers of bicolor drivers with 2-pin connectors may use different polarity in the connectors. Some have positive wires with a female connector, and negative wires with a male connector. Others may have it exactly the opposite. If you connect a driver with the opposite polarity to the LEDs, nothing bad will happen. The LEDs will simply not light up. To figure it out and connect everything correctly, we recommend removing the case from the new and old driver and comparing which contacts have which wires coming out of them. The positive contact on the LED driver board is usually located in the middle, between the two negative contacts.

Some remotely controlled lamps and chandeliers may have, in addition to the main light, also decorative multi-colored background lighting, a fan or a Bluetooth speaker. The drivers of such lamps have additional outputs for this. If the lamp has a fan or a Bluetooth speaker, then its driver has an additional AC output (with the same voltage as the driver input). The voltage supply to this output is regulated using a relay built into the driver. If the lamp or chandelier has background lighting, then an additional driver (of lower power) for this lighting is connected to this relay.
2-in-1 drivers with an additional channel at the output can also be used. In the characteristics of such drivers, in addition to the power of the main light channels, the power of the additional channel is usually indicated after the “+” sign.

If you cannot find a suitable model, you can replace it with a similar one, without additional connections. In this case, only the main light of the lamp or chandelier will work.

Frequently asked questions:

What is an LED driver?

An LED driver is a stabilized power supply for one or more LEDs. It is used in lamps, chandeliers, spotlights, etc. It can be either a separate device or part of a circuit located on the same board with the LEDs.

 

What is the difference between an LED driver and a power supply?
A power supply has a stabilized voltage at the output, the current varies depending on the load connected to it (the maximum current depends on the power supply model). An LED driver has a stabilized current at the output, and the output voltage depends on the LEDs connected to it. The output voltage range depends on the LED driver model. Power supplies are used to operate various devices. An LED driver is used exclusively to power LEDs.

 

Why do you need an LED driver?
An LED driver not only converts the voltage for a specific LED assembly, but also serves as a power stabilizer for the LEDs. LEDs have low consumption, low operating voltage and current. Therefore, they are very sensitive to even small deviations in the power supply.

 

Is it possible to connect LEDs without a driver? What happens if you connect them directly, without a LED driver?
If the power supply has an output voltage equal to the operating voltage of the LEDs, then you can (in extreme cases) briefly connect the LEDs directly, without a driver. The current of such a power supply can be significantly higher than the rated current of the connected LEDs. In this case, the LEDs can overheat and fail.

 

Is it possible to connect an LED driver without LEDs?
The LED driver can be connected without a load. This will not harm it in any way.

 

Do all LEDs need a driver?

LEDs need a limited current. Most LED strips, lines, and LED modules have resistors to limit the current. Such LEDs can be connected without a LED driver. For all other LEDs, you should use a LED driver.

 

How to check the driver's functionality?

If the LEDs do not light up when power is supplied to the driver, most likely the LED driver is faulty. The driver's function is to provide stabilized power to the LEDs. If the LEDs burn out, it means the driver failed to cope with this task.

 

Why does the LED driver burn out?

Reasons for LED driver failure:

• Voltage surges that go beyond the driver's operating voltage range;
• Violation of operating conditions (using non-hermetic drivers outdoors or in rooms with high humidity);
• As a result of overheating and failure of some LEDs in the circuit, their overall operating voltage changes, which may go beyond the capabilities of the LED driver;
• Old age and wear of LED driver components.

 

What most often fails in an LED driver?

Most often, electrolytic capacitors fail in an LED driver, which suffer from input voltage surges or lose their capacity over time.

 

How to test an LED driver without LEDs?

Apply power to the driver input and measure the voltage at its output with a multimeter. The driver's output voltage without a load should be constant and slightly higher than the maximum voltage specified in its specifications.

 

How many volts should be at the output of the LED driver?

When connecting working LEDs to the driver, its output voltage should be within the limits specified in its characteristics. Without a load, the driver produces slightly more volts than indicated on it.

 

How many LEDs can be connected to the driver? What LED driver is needed?

Depends on the total characteristics of all connected LEDs. The total current of the LEDs should be equal to the output current of the driver (+/- 5%). The total voltage of all LEDs should be within the output voltage of the driver (the further from its maximum characteristics, the better).

 

Can the LED driver be repaired?

Repair of the LED driver is possible. The complexity of the repair will depend on the type of malfunction, the level of knowledge and skills of the technician. You should also consider the feasibility of repairing a specific LED driver.

 

How to choose an analogue to replace a non-working LED driver?
First of all, you should not select a replacement based on the power indicated on the drivers. This characteristic is very often overstated by manufacturers. It is necessary to pay attention to the output current (mA) and voltage (V) of the burnt driver. The output current of the new driver should be equal to the current of the previous driver (+/- 5%). The output voltage range of the new driver should also correspond to the characteristics of the non-working driver. It is allowed to replace it with a driver with a voltage slightly higher than its predecessor. It is not recommended to replace it with a driver with a lower output voltage.

 

How to choose a power supply (LED Driver) for an LED chandelier?

If the power supply of subsequent chandeliers has its own characteristics indicated on the case, then the replacement should be selected as close as possible to these characteristics. It is recommended to change to more powerful models or less powerful analogs only when replacing LEDs with new ones. If the characteristics of the old driver are not indicated on it, then you can also select a replacement for it, but for this you will need to know the total operating voltage and current of all the LEDs in the chandelier.

 

What happens if you replace the LED driver with an analog with a different current?

If necessary, you can replace the old driver with a new one with a different output current. It should be remembered that increasing the driver current can lead to overheating of the LEDs and a reduction in their service life. Reducing the supply current of the LEDs can lead to a decrease in the intensity of their glow.

 

What happens if you replace the LED driver with an analog with a different voltage?

The range of the output voltage of the drive is indicated from minimum to maximum. LEDs have a constant voltage, usually closer to the maximum limit of the LED driver. For example, the driver may have an output voltage of 90-165V, and the LEDs can operate at 150V. In this case, you can replace the driver with any other similar operating range that will include the voltage of these LEDs (80-160V, 120-190V, 140-200V, etc.).

 

What is the difference between LED drivers with two and three wires at the output?

LED drivers with two wires at the output are used in monochrome (single-color) lamps, spotlights. Output: 1 plus and 1 minus.

Drivers with three wires (3-pin) are designed for LEDs of two colors (2 channels: cold and warm). Such drivers allow you to select the glow of lamps or chandeliers: cold, warm or cold + warm. Such drivers are also called 3-color drivers. Output: 1 plus and 2 minuses.

 

What is the difference between dual-channel LED drivers with three and four wires at the output?

These LED drivers are absolutely identical and interchangeable. The only difference is in the number of wires and connectors. Both types of drivers have a board with a three-pin output (1 plus and 2 minuses). They differ only in that the drivers with four wires have 2 wires coming out of the positive contact, and not one, like the three-wire drivers.

 

Can a dual-channel LED driver be replaced with a single-color analog?

A three-color lamp can be connected to a single-color LED driver, but in this case, only one shade of light will work. To do this, the positive wire of the driver is connected to the positive wire(s) of the LEDs, and the negative wire is connected to the negative wire of the LEDs of the desired shade (cold, warm, or cold + warm).

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